Agenda for Folkestone & Hythe District and Parish Councils' Joint Committee on Thursday, 16th March, 2023, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote Meeting

Contact: James Clapson 

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of chairman

The chairmanship alternates between a District Councillor and a Parish/Town Councillor every meeting.  The Committee must appoint a District Councillor as the Chairman of this meeting.

Minutes:

District Councillor Hollingsbee was appointed Chairman for the meeting.

2.

Declarations of interest

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

 

a) discloseable pecuniary interests (DPI)

b) other significant interests (OSI)

c) voluntary announcements of other interests

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Minutes

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023 were submitted and agreed as a correct record.

4.

Kent County Council Consultation Regarding Changes to Community Services

Kent County Council Officers Rebecca Spore, Director of Infrastructure, and Ben Sherreard, Kent Communities Programme Manager will provide an update on the ongoing consultation regarding changes to Community Services.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Mr Sherreard provided the committee with a presentation that gave an overview of Kent County Council’s (KCC) proposed changes to community services, what the changes aimed to achieve, and the timeline for the project.  The presentation slides have been attached to the minutes for refence.

 

During consideration of the item the following points were noted:

  • As part of the consultation, KCC gratefully received suggestions of buildings that could be used to co-locate services.  These buildings did not need to be owned by KCC.
  • Lympne Parish Council had a village hall with a confidential room, potentially this could be suitable for use by other service providers, particularly in support of mothers and children who attend baby and toddler clubs at the site.
  • KCC had a dedicated team that was looking to develop a single point of contact system to allow residents to access all their KCC services from one digital platform.
  • In the more distant future there could be an opportunity to further integrate KCC services with other service providers, such as the Police or NHS.
  • KCC had worked with bus service providers when producing the proposals, however KCC did not control which bus routes would be provided in the future.  Community bus services could be organised to cover areas where commercial bus service providers have reduced services.
  • The proposals did not include the closure of any library buildings; however, these buildings could be used to co-locate other services.
  • The expected timeline indicated that implementation of the changes would begin in the early part of 2024; completion of the process could take a couple of years as there was a need to ensure continuity of services.
  • Everyone was encouraged to participate in the consultation, further details can be found on the following dedicated web page: https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/community-services-consultation
  • For people who do not wish to complete the online consultation questionnaire, comments can also be provided by email: communityservicesfeedback@kent.gov.uk or by voicemail message: 03000 419 815.

 

5.

An update on the Ship Street Development

A presentation will be provided by Andy Blaszkowicz, Director of Housing and Operations, giving an update on the latest position of the development at Ship Street, Folkestone.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Mr Blaszkowicz and Mr Baxter provided the committee with an update on the Ship Street development, the presentation covered the history of the site, reasons for its dereliction, the work that has taken place, the next steps and what the council hopes the site will look like once its complete.  The slides have been attached to the minutes for reference.

 

During consideration of the item the following points were noted:

  • Engagement with the public had been positive and responses highlighted the importance of providing energy efficient, affordable homes on the site. 
  • Wheelchair access across the site was being incorporated with access via Ship Street to Foord Road, to deal with the significant level change from west to east across the site.
  • The project did not directly benefit from levelling up funding, however it did compliment the wider regeneration work of the fund.
  • Informal discussions with developers had indicated that the site would not benefit from a very tall building, there were regulatory requirements for buildings over 18 meters high that impacted on their viability.
  • There were around 150 units proposed for the site.
  • Once the Council has made the site safe, its positive land value should attract interest from developers; the Council may wish to go into partnership with a developer as part of a joint venture or look to sell the whole site to a developer.

 

6.

Coast Drive Coastal Destination Project

A presentation will be provided by Andy Blaszkowicz, Director of Housing and Operations, giving an update on the Coast Drive Coastal Destination Project.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Mr Blaszkowicz provided a presentation that gave an update on the Coast Drive Coastal Destination Project.  During the presentation it was noted that there were currently 700 people on the waiting list for a beach huts, so the Council was looking for areas where more beach huts could be situated.  The aim of the project was to make the Coast Dive area a destination, with services and amenities onsite that will encourage residents and visitors to visit the beach.  The slides have been attached to the minutes for reference.

 

During consideration of the item the following points were noted:

  • It was hoped that planning permission would be granted in Spring 2023.
  • Proposals have been drafted with input from residents and New Romney Town Council, who were in support of the proposal.
  • The Council would be meeting with the Sea Cadets, who were based on site, to ensure they were fully supported; this would include parking arrangements.
  • The proposal recognised that the area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and incorporated areas of fencing to protect key areas.
  • There had been discussions with the RNLI to ensure their operations from the Littlestone Lifeboat Station would not be impeded.
  • New Romney Town Council’s Highway Improvement Plan identified the need for a pedestrian crossing to assist people in crossing Coast Drive, between the car park and the shops.  The Town Council would be in touch with KCC Highways.